Centre Dodge

Name and Purpose

• Centre Dodge builds awareness, balance, and cooperative resistance.
• Players practise reading group movement, communicating through touch, and staying light on their feet.

a.k.a.

• Pull the Can, Push Away

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-15 minutes | Open field or gym, minimum 10m x 10m

Materials

• 1 soft foam ball or small cone (centre object)
• 4 cones for boundary markers
• Flat, even ground

Quick-Run Card

1. Mark a circle with cones (approx. 8-10m diameter); place the foam ball in the centre.
2. All players join hands to form one circle.
3. Mill around and try to manoeuvre others into touching the centre object.
4. Touch the object? Step to the Second Circle and earn a point for your team.
5. Round ends after 2-3 minutes; reset and repeat.

Setup and Boundaries

• Mark the outer boundary with 4 cones so all players can see the edge
• Place the centre object on flat, visible ground
• Signal: 1 short whistle = pause; 2 short whistles = stop and gather
• Check ground for holes, wet patches, or debris before play
• Sun and wind awareness: position the circle so no player is blinded by glare

How to Play

1. All players join hands in a circle around the centre object.
2. On the start signal, everyone mills around, shifting weight and pulling gently to move others toward the centre object.
3. A player who touches the centre object steps out of the circle to the Second Circle.
4. Second Circle players do a team challenge together (e.g., keep a balloon aloft, count consecutive passes) and earn bonus points for completions.
5. Remaining players close the circle and continue.
6. Round ends on whistle or when 3 or fewer players remain. Reset for the next round.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Full grip in the main circle, actively resisting and manoeuvring
• S (Support): Join the circle and focus on steadying teammates rather than pushing others
• Q (Quiet): Step to Second Circle by choice and lead the sideline team challenge
• O (Observer): Watch from outside, count touches, signal when the round clock reaches 2 minutes

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players with limited grip strength may use a wrist-loop or hold a short rope instead of hand-to-hand contact
• Walking-only version: no running, all movement at walking pace

Stewardship Moment

• After the round, take 30 seconds to return cones and the centre object to the bag together
• Reflection: “How did the circle hold together? What does that tell us about shared space and care?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves holding hands or wrists in a circle. For those not comfortable with hand-to-hand contact, we have wrist-loops and short ropes as another option.”
• Mid-game check: After the first round, pause: “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is everyone feeling? Adjust grips or roles anytime.”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Raise one hand to step out at any moment. Say “In!” to re-enter the next round at any time.

Risks and Mitigation

• Sudden pulling causing falls: remind players that all pulling is slow and controlled, no jerking
• Collision near the centre object: choose a soft object (foam ball) not a hard can or rock
• Dominance by stronger players: cap grip strength by using wrist-loops to equalise

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Squeeze Signal”: stand in a circle, send a hand-squeeze around the ring as fast as possible
• “Lean and Hold”: pairs face each other, palms touching, lean gently in and out to find balance

Debrief Questions

• What? “What were you trying to do, and what did others seem to be doing?”
• So What? “What made it hard to resist without losing your balance?”
• Now What? “Where in life do you need to hold steady while others are pulling in a different direction?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Collect cones and centre object into a single bag (under 60 seconds)
• Check play space for any debris
• Return equipment to storage